Home Beyond the House: Transformation of Life, Place, and Tradition in Rural China.

"Home Beyond the House: Transformation of Life, Place, and Tradition in Rural China" by Wei Zhao is a book that explores the impact of urbanization and development on traditional rural homes in China. The author, an architect and cultural preservationist, is concerned about the destruction of old houses and the loss of cultural traditions and rural lifestyles. The book focuses on a village called Yanxia in Zhejiang and examines the villagers' conceptions of home, which go beyond the physical boundaries of their dwellings and encompass their connection to the land and local traditions. The author also discusses the challenges faced by rural residents when their homes are destroyed and offers recommendations for preserving traditional settlements while modernizing them. The book provides valuable insights into the factors that shape the sense of home and serves as a useful reference for understanding the renovation, modernization, relocation, and urbanization of rural architectural environments. [Extracted from the article]